Customer Reviews

National Geographic Road Atlas: United States-Canada-Mexico : Deluxe 2000 Edition

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

my girlfriend and i used this road atlas as we embarked on a 6 month journey around our wonderful western united states. this road atlas helped us in everything: from finding great camp spots, to navigating our way through the madness of road construction in phoenix, az to finally meet up with an old college buddy. the roads are clear and well marked, it gives the feel of a topographical map, and gives good insight to the geography of the area. we did our research and found little to nothing that any other atlas contained that was not in the national geographic road atlas. this spiral bound road atlas is heads above the rest.

I was a life-long Rand McNally atlas user until I met the 1999 edition of National Geographic road atlas. I liked it so much I bought the 2000 edition for the library I work in.

My name is Richard B. -- and I'm a mapaholic.

I've treasured maps since childhood. I read them, study them, collect them, and critique them. But my loyalty isn't to the scrap of paper that it's printed on, but to their representation of the world of roads. A map is only as good as it's first mistake -- if the next map has fewer mistakes [of towns, roads, or even graphics], it becomes the new favorite. In the case of National Geographic's road atlas, the great readability makes it the new champion.

I haven't gone counting for hamlets in obscure corners of the country (like I used to -- with my own hometown) to find mistakes or shortcomings. The difference was readily apparent the first time I opened it up. Imagine the design principles of Edward Tufte applied to a road atlas -- clean, legible design that doesn't interfere with the information being conveyed. My thirty-something eyes still read pretty well, but I appreciate the care that went into making these maps easier to use, including more detailed city and tourist destination maps, low gloss paper [unlike some of those European atlases I've used...], and an exceptional book design to aid navigation within the atlas itself.

Don't believe me -- you don't know me from Adam -- but trust your own eyes. Look at the atlases and road maps that you've used over the years (or, at least, kept stored in your car), and then compare what you see to the fresh design of National Geographic road atlases. See if you don't agree that they set a new standard by which the other atlases must now be judged. Happy trails to you, R.B.

As a professional over-the-road truck driver, I can tell you that there are maps and there are maps. While I still carry a current copy of another major road atlas published specifically for motor carriers, the one I use 95% of the time is the National Geographic. I am ordering the spiral bound 2001 today - have already worn out my 2000! These maps are concise, clear, and easy to read. Simply the best. John C.

I own all three major US road atlases (Rand McNally and AAA being the other two), and none of them is perfect. This one is probably the most visually beautiful atlas you're ever likely to see. Each individual map is a work of art in its own right. The maps are lovely to look at, and the section with maps of the National Parks is a nice bonus.

HOWEVER, if you're actually planning on using this atlas to drive someplace, don't. The atlas is far less detailed than either the Rand McNally or AAA versions. Looking for a small, remote town? You won't find it here. And the indexes are abbreviated, meaning not all the towns marked on the maps will be found in the index. The city maps are tiny and show virtually no detail. They contain so little information that they can't really be used for anything; I wonder why they were even included.

One great thing about this atlas is the number of interesting sites it marks. It includes not only "official" sites like National and State Parks, but also the more off-the-wall sites that you wouldn't find in any other atlas. (For example, the site of the 1969 Woodstock concert in Bethel, NY.) The atlas may be worth buying for these locations alone.

In summary, this is the perfect atlas for someone who likes to look at maps, but who doesn't actually need to use them.

What makes this the best atlas out there? In a word, detail. The National Geographic Atlas is the easiest to read, has the best city maps, provides topographic information, is spiral-bound so it will lay flat, and has the most up-to-date information about newly-opened highways. There is no other atlas that can compare with this one. Buy it.

The best road atlas I've ever seen (and I'm a REAL map nut!!). Good detail. Very effective use of color. The listing of points of interest along roadways is most useful (that's how my wife and I found Carhenge).

By far the best road atlas. Much better than Rand-McNally and AAA and others. Maps are very colorful, have lots of interesting details and features, like state parks. More city maps and in greater detail. Large easy to use mileage charts. National Parks section. Pages easy to turn. Solid front and back covers. This is the one to own.

A nice atlas for long trips or general reference. A little clearer and more detailed than the similar Rand McNally version. The spiral binding is nice, too.

This is the best Road Map i have ever seen. I love this map and would never go out without this map.

I would recommend you all to buy.

Thanks Ananth

I bought this old Atlas to plan vacations and to keep track of our travels. The roads may not be up-to-date but the attractions, parks, monuments, cities and sites-to-see locations should be OK for our intended use.